Reflector for traffic lane markers, etc.



March 27 1934.

1 D. E, ROSS REFLECTOR FOR TRAFFIC LANE MARKERS, ETC

. Filed Jan. 9, 1931 Patented Mar. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES REFLECTOR FOR TRAFFIC LANE MARKERS, ETC.

David E. Ross, Lafayette, Ind., assignor to Purdue Research Foundation, ration of Indiana Application January 9,

' 7 Claims.

This invention is a novel improvement in reflectors especially designed for use on road markers or traflic signal devices of the type shown in my companion application filed January 9th,

1931, Serial No. 507,725 but it should be understood that such reflectors are adaptable for use in other signal devices and for other purposes in the arts.

To facilitate an understanding of the inven' tion I will explain two practical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing; and one practical mode of utilizing such reflectors in a road marker of the -type shown in my aforesaid application. The claims set forth the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction for which protection is desired.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a road marker equipped with my novel reflectors. Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 2-2 Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the reflector detached. Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 3 illustrating the reflection of light rays. Fig. 5 is a detail view similar to Fig. 4 also illustrating the reflection of the light beams. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of the reflector, and Fig. 7 is a side view of Fig. 6 illustrating the reflection of the light beams.

The marker 1, shown in Fig. 1, is adapted to be inserted in the surface of a roadway and is provided with recesses 1a each extending from the center outward lengthwise of the marker and enlarging as it approaches the end of the marker. In the bottom of each recess near the inner end thereof is a novel reflector R. which is especially designed and adapted to pick up rays of light from an approaching motor vehicle and reflect the rays of light in a manner to make them conspicuous to the driver of such vehicle. The general construction and operation of these markers is fully set forth in my aforesaid application and need not be described herein, the present invention having special reference to the reflectors R. Types of such novel reflectors are shown in Figs. 3 to 7.

The reflectors shown in Figs. 3 to 5 has a longitudinal body 2, preferably rectangular incross section, and the upper face of this body is formed 50 with a series of steps 2a, the upper surfaces a of which are in parallel planes, and their end surfaces 1) are perpendicular to their top surfaces. One end 21) of the body 2 is acutely beveled, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, and the surface c of this beveled end is inclined at an angle Lafayette, Ind., a corpo- 1931, Serial No. 507,726

of about 45 to the planes of the surfaces a. The surface 0 is silvered or provided with some other highly reflective medium.

On the top of the body above the inclined surface 0 is a thickened portion 20 the top sur- G0 face e of which is practically parallel with the top surface of the body and slightly inclined to the planes of the surfaces a; but the end b of the part 20 is parallel with the surfaces b.

On top of the end 20 of the body and above 66 the inclined surface 0 is a parti-spherical protuberance f. The body 2 is preferably wider than the portions a, e, i, so that when the reflector 2 is secured in the marker l only the surfaces a, b, e, will be visible.

In order to more clearly demonstrate the principle on which the reflector is constructed it is shown much enlarged in Fig. 4 and also shown at about the angle in which it should be mounted in the marker 1 in Figs. 4, 5 and 7, and, when the road marker is properly located the reflector will preferably be inclined to the true horizontal, as indicated in Figs. 4, 5 and 7.

Assuming the light rays L from a headlight are parallel (see Figs. 4 and 5), they will pass perpendicularly through the facets b and the transparent medium of the body to the highly reflective surface 0 and be reflected upwardly thereby. The angle L-yw is approximately equal to angle :r-y'z and the reflected rays P1 rise approximately vertically through the lens-like projection J. Byincreasing the angle of the mirrored surface 0 relative to the plane surfaces a, (as indicated in Fig. 5), the angle :cy-z would be correspondingly increased and cause the deflected rays to issue from the lens I more nearly in the line of vision of the driver of the vehicle. I

In the construction indicated in Figs. 6 and 7 the planes a and facets b are omitted, and the top of the reflector has a continuous plane surface g substantially parallel with the bottom surface h, of the body which surface is also mirrored. The lens 7 and inclined surface 0 are substantially as in Figs. 4 and 5. The glass in the upper part of this reflector will deflect the light rays L penetrating the surface 9 (see Fig. 7) and direct them downward and against the bottom reflecting surface h. which in turn deflects the rays against the surface 0, which in turn 105 deflects them upwardly through thelens f as indicated in Fig. 7.

I claim:

-1. A- reflector for road markers and the like comprising an elongated transparent body having ll.

an upwardly inclined beveled reflecting surface at one end and a series of stepped substantially parallel surfaces on its upper side, the end faces of said stepped surfaces farthest removed from the inclined surface being substantially perpendicular to the upper surfaces of the steps, said inclined surface being adapted to reflect rays of light transmitted through the said stepped portions and body of said reflector.

2. A reflector for road markers and the like comprising an elongated transparent body having an upwardly inclined beveled reflecting surface at one end and a series of stepped substantially parallel surfaces on its upper side, the end faces of said stepped surfaces farthest removed from the inclined surface being substantially perpendicular to the upper surfaces of the steps; said body having a projecting lens on its upper surface located above said inclined surface; said inclined surface being adapted to reflect rays of light transmitted through the said stepped portions and body of said reflector to and through said lens.

3. A reflector for road markers and the like, comprising an elongated transparent body approximately rectangular in cross-section having a projecting top portion, parallel with but narrower than the body proper, extending longitudinally of the body; said body having an upwardly inclined beveled reflecting surface at one end and a projecting lens on the upper surface of said top portion adjacent said inclined surface; said inclined surface being adapted to reflect rays of light transmitted longitudinally of and through the material of the body to and" through said lens.

4. A road marker comprising a base member adapted to be secured to the surface of a roadway and having a longitudinal slot and a reflector seated in said slot, said reflector comprising an elongated transparent body approximately rectangular in cross section and having an upwardly inclined beveled reflecting surface at one end and the lower surface of said body being a reflecting surface whereby rays of light entering the upper surface of the body are reflected against the said inclined surface and thereby reflected outwardly.

5. A road marker comprising a base member adapted to be secured to the surface of a roadway and having a longitudinal slot; and a reflector seated in said slot; said reflector comprising an elongated approximately rectangular transparent body having a bottom reflecting surface and an upwardly inclined beveled reflecting surface at one end, the upper portion of said body being so formed that rays of light entering such portion will be deflected downwardly against the bottom surface and reflected thereby against the inclined surface and thereby reflected outwardly.

6. A road marker comprising a base member adapted to secured to the surface of a roadway and having a longitudinal slot; and a reflector seated in said slot; said reflector comprising an elongated transparent body having an upwardly inclined beveled reflecting surface at one end, and a series of stepped substantially parallel surfaces on its upper side, the end faces of said stepped surfaces farthest removed from the inclined surface being substantially perpendicular to the upper surfaces of the steps, said inclined surface being adapted to reflect rays of light transmitted through the said stepped portions and body of said reflector.

'7. A road marker comprising a base adapted to be secured to the surface of a roadway and having a longitudinal slot; and a reflector seated in said slot; said reflector comprising an elongated transparent body having an upwardly inclined beveled reflecting surface at one end, a projecting lens on its upper surface adjacent said inclined surface, and a projecting portion on the upper surface of said body; whereby rays of light entering such upper portion of said body will be deflected downwardly against the bottom surface and reflected thereby against the inclined surface and thereby reflected through the lens. DAVID E. ROSS. 

